She finally has moved on from doing one off dance numbers in Hindi potboilers. And How! Isha Koppikar is playing opposite none other than (hold your dear breath) Manoj Bajpai in a Hindi remake of Hollywood`s superhit Basic Instinct.

While Kopikkar is likely to play Jeanne Tripplehorn's character of the psychiatrist Dr. Beth Garner, Bajpai is slated to essay the character of investigative cop Nick Curran (played in the original by Michael Douglas). The explosive and controversial role of Catherine Tramell (which Sharon Stone immortalized albeit infamously) was reportedly offered to Sushmita Sen but she had to refuse because of date hassles.

Tentatively titled Inteqaam by director Pankaj Parashar, the film is slated to go on the floors soon and be released by end 2003. Needless to say, but Kopikkar sure has managed to bide her time well. We can only wish the young actress all the best and truly hope that she does not go the Shilpa Shetty way, who began with a bang in Baazigar and is now content with ribbon cutting ceremonies and item numbers. In other words, get back to the basicx!!